A disciplined performance in the field and an explosive 35 off 19 balls from Brad Hodge helped Kochi Tuskers overcome Kolkata Knight Riders in the last match at the Nehru Stadium this IPL season.

Hodge's last over blitz, in which he took 21 runs off countryman Brett Lee, proved to be the difference between the two sides, as Kochi defended 156 by 17 runs. In the chase, RP Singh and Sreesanth failed to get the same kind of movement that Brett Lee extracted early in the Kochi innings. Jacques Kallis and Eoin Morgan didn't have to take many risks early on as there were many poor deliveries that were smacked to the boundary. In the first three overs, the bulk of the short and wide ones came from RP Singh.

R Vinay Kumar and Prasanth Parameswaran pulled back the chase before it raged out of control with a selection of back of a length deliveries that proved difficult to get away. Although they kept the boundaries down, they didn't trouble the batsmen much and failed to get a breakthrough until after the halfway stage, when Kolkata were well set. Kallis was the senior partner and easily outscored Morgan in that phase. Seven times in the first ten overs Kallis stole the strike at the end of the over.

Just as Kallis looked as though he had grown roots, Raiphi Gomez rattled Kolkata with a double strike in his second over. He bowled Kallis with a legcutter and had Gautam Gambhir caught in the covers off consecutive balls, which left Morgan to assume the senior role. Manoj Tiwary could not last long, and Yusuf Pathan was expected to counterattack, but he and Morgan were frustrated by Gomez's variations and Parameswaran's accurate fuller deliveries. Sreesanth let the noose loosen, giving Morgan back-to-back boundaries but Vinay Kumar was on hand to tighten it. Confusions between Morgan and Yusuf mounted in Vinay's last over, and Morgan was run out when both batsmen ended up at the wicketkeeper's end.

It brought Brett Lee to the crease, in poetic justice for the last over he bowled, which went for 21. There were 25 to get off the last over of Kolkata's innings. Lee was run-out and the task proved too steep.

Kochi's innings was anchored by a third-wicket partnership between Mahela Jayawardene and Michael Klinger before being given momentum at the death by Hodge. It didn't look as though Kochi would get over the 150-run mark, especially after the way things started. Lee's first over was a whole bag of peaches. He got impressive away movement and started the innings with a maiden.

Some success seemed inevitable after the start Kolkata got and it came from Jaidev Unadkat, although he hardly deserved it. He banged one in, too short and too wide outside off that Brendon McCullum chased and his fine edge nestled in Kallis' hands at slip.

Parthiv Patel came in at No. 3 and opened his account with two stunning boundaries. He looked energetic and confident in his strokeplay and dealt with Unadkat's bouncer and the introduction of spin, in the form of Iqbal Abdulla, with relative ease. Surprisingly, it was the short ball that undid him, when he charged down the track and miscued a pull shot to midwicket.

The stage was set for Jayawardene to play an innings of authority and, with Klinger at the other end, he did exactly that. They played creative cricket, managing a boundary off five of the seven overs they were together for and pushed each other to take singles before Klinger holed out. When Abdulla got the wicket of Ravindra Jadeja for eight, Kochi were being pegged back and some impetus was needed.

The floodgates were opened with Jayawardene's six over long leg at the start of the 17th over and Kochi put on 54 runs in the final four overs, with Hodge's fireworks yielding almost half of those.

Picture avi baki hey who say the dialogue... SRK? ..... so 3 to 6 May we all bangladeshi also bangali fan say nd proved that Sakib out side line is n't his performance its indian SRK manner hypocrite decision without bangali cazzy nd mystery boy Sakib why suspect to whaitmore tamim join the team...! May be in this case innner team group decided Sakib out side line... but we think KKR should be again sakib play RBC match 14 May... where sakib last play ... is it another chance..? NO please sakib come to the home nd return to join country cricket Worcestershire team 1st division league...its better 4 u sakib...!

Bijoy
on May 7, 2011, 5:40 GMT

KTK what a performence.They had defeated all tha favourates in the tournament.I think their mantra for win is team work and determination. They are playing bangalore tomorrow which is crucial match for both the teams but my heart say's it is going to be KTK. i love the way their bowlers are turning out to be in every match .prasantha parameshwaran just look at that lad bowlinf really well . If he keep's his down and work hard we are going to c this lad in indian colours very soon.

Dummy4
on May 6, 2011, 14:34 GMT

I'm also interesting to your coment Mr. Jibin Cr. 1st you say all bangladeshi people Bangladeshi fan can watch Sakib play all match but if Sakib did n't play well than right ur argument but he miss first 2 match and why last 2 match sakib outside line can u explain? 2nd we are against of Morgan coze last match i think he would n't done well maximum all match nd last match he is the loser point KKR (IPL 50 ball 66 run n't accept) and also bouchar and i think ur are watching clearly last match and fast mach and u blaming Sakib run rate 2... Please man r u watching KKR match nd did u know Sakib only play betting 1 match nd betting position no. 7 although we bangladeshi accept Sakib much be better No. 3....!

Shubhra
on May 6, 2011, 13:23 GMT

What is SRK doing??? In paper, KKR has the best coaching team including Whatmor and Akram...I believe their team management sucks...or they are listing to Gambhir too much!!!...Gambhir is not a Good captain...he proved that...KKR management axed Sourav...who could be a MUCH better and aggressive captain, almost a similar batsman and dependable fielder....very sorry to say...KKR is not wining IPL....at the best they can play the semifinal...but they will suck...after 10 matches they could not arrange their line up!!!!..If Sourav is old what about Boucher? Even he does not play for his country in one day/T20....ha ha ha ha....what a choice!!!! He can't make big shots, his reflex is compromised....
the team could be- 1. Kallis 2. Srivatsa 3. Gautam 4. Manoj 5. Yousuf 6. Lakshmi 7. RTD 8. Shakib 9. Lee 10. Abdulla 11. Balaji (Morgan can replace either RTD or Shakib based on the pitch and weather condition). If they need more variation then Vatia can replace either Lakshmi or Shakib .....

Dummy4
on May 6, 2011, 12:19 GMT

It is interesting to see all Bangladeshi fans want Shakib to play every match for KKR. Guys IPL is a high profile tournament where players like Graem Smith and JP Dumni is struggling to get a match. There is no way you can assure your presence if you are not an Indian cos of the rules of this game.

Shakib is talented no doubt in that but does he really worth to count as an unavoidable player in this format. So far his batting average is 2 and bowling average is close to 8 in this tournament. In an indian wicket where batsmen traditionally play good against spin you cant assure your presence in team if you dont score runs (if u r a foreign player). In international arena also his batting avg or strike rate is not comparable with likes of Morgan and Kallis.

So guys be patient I feel he get chance in spin friendly tracks (like Kolkata or Jaipur) as his batting let him down. I prefer RN ten Doeschate ahead of him in pacer friendly tracks as Yusuf and Iqbal is doing good as spinner.

madhuri
on May 6, 2011, 10:45 GMT

MAHELA...You are a GENIUS. Weldone KTK.. I remeber few guys commenting that KTK has got a test team.Now what...!!!

I think it's high time to changed the selection of foreign player.I think morgan is getting many chance though he not perform well,when player like SAKIB-AL-HASAN,TEN DOESCHATE be sitted in sideline though they perform well and balaji should not be rested.though brett lee will be the key factor but his bowling is also not up tp mark.i think the team will be.
1.kallis
2.Gautam
3.tiwary
4.yusuf
5.Ryan/lee
6.Sakib
7.Boucher
8.bhatia
9.iqbal
10.balaji
11.unadkat

Bimal
on May 6, 2011, 6:01 GMT

When a team fail to perform ,the captain faces all the fires . Here Goutam Gambhir ,once again proved that he needs time to settle down to work as a captain of a team. It was a great mistake by the owner to appoint him as a captain. He may be a superb batsman on his day , but leadership quality in Goutam is still in the club levels . Lots of decisions are proving to be wrong from the very first match against Chennai, which was a sure win situation .

Dummy4
on May 6, 2011, 5:04 GMT

@reghuh: Thats correct.. if he get the bowl at right place in first over he will get it for next 4 overs.. so its better Sreesanth to play 4 over together.. and RP Singh is needed as a new ball bowler we dont have any.. if u dont get 100% rite with new ball you will be all over the place..

Dummy4
on May 7, 2011, 16:03 GMT

Picture avi baki hey who say the dialogue... SRK? ..... so 3 to 6 May we all bangladeshi also bangali fan say nd proved that Sakib out side line is n't his performance its indian SRK manner hypocrite decision without bangali cazzy nd mystery boy Sakib why suspect to whaitmore tamim join the team...! May be in this case innner team group decided Sakib out side line... but we think KKR should be again sakib play RBC match 14 May... where sakib last play ... is it another chance..? NO please sakib come to the home nd return to join country cricket Worcestershire team 1st division league...its better 4 u sakib...!

Bijoy
on May 7, 2011, 5:40 GMT

KTK what a performence.They had defeated all tha favourates in the tournament.I think their mantra for win is team work and determination. They are playing bangalore tomorrow which is crucial match for both the teams but my heart say's it is going to be KTK. i love the way their bowlers are turning out to be in every match .prasantha parameshwaran just look at that lad bowlinf really well . If he keep's his down and work hard we are going to c this lad in indian colours very soon.

Dummy4
on May 6, 2011, 14:34 GMT

I'm also interesting to your coment Mr. Jibin Cr. 1st you say all bangladeshi people Bangladeshi fan can watch Sakib play all match but if Sakib did n't play well than right ur argument but he miss first 2 match and why last 2 match sakib outside line can u explain? 2nd we are against of Morgan coze last match i think he would n't done well maximum all match nd last match he is the loser point KKR (IPL 50 ball 66 run n't accept) and also bouchar and i think ur are watching clearly last match and fast mach and u blaming Sakib run rate 2... Please man r u watching KKR match nd did u know Sakib only play betting 1 match nd betting position no. 7 although we bangladeshi accept Sakib much be better No. 3....!

Shubhra
on May 6, 2011, 13:23 GMT

What is SRK doing??? In paper, KKR has the best coaching team including Whatmor and Akram...I believe their team management sucks...or they are listing to Gambhir too much!!!...Gambhir is not a Good captain...he proved that...KKR management axed Sourav...who could be a MUCH better and aggressive captain, almost a similar batsman and dependable fielder....very sorry to say...KKR is not wining IPL....at the best they can play the semifinal...but they will suck...after 10 matches they could not arrange their line up!!!!..If Sourav is old what about Boucher? Even he does not play for his country in one day/T20....ha ha ha ha....what a choice!!!! He can't make big shots, his reflex is compromised....
the team could be- 1. Kallis 2. Srivatsa 3. Gautam 4. Manoj 5. Yousuf 6. Lakshmi 7. RTD 8. Shakib 9. Lee 10. Abdulla 11. Balaji (Morgan can replace either RTD or Shakib based on the pitch and weather condition). If they need more variation then Vatia can replace either Lakshmi or Shakib .....

Dummy4
on May 6, 2011, 12:19 GMT

It is interesting to see all Bangladeshi fans want Shakib to play every match for KKR. Guys IPL is a high profile tournament where players like Graem Smith and JP Dumni is struggling to get a match. There is no way you can assure your presence if you are not an Indian cos of the rules of this game.

Shakib is talented no doubt in that but does he really worth to count as an unavoidable player in this format. So far his batting average is 2 and bowling average is close to 8 in this tournament. In an indian wicket where batsmen traditionally play good against spin you cant assure your presence in team if you dont score runs (if u r a foreign player). In international arena also his batting avg or strike rate is not comparable with likes of Morgan and Kallis.

So guys be patient I feel he get chance in spin friendly tracks (like Kolkata or Jaipur) as his batting let him down. I prefer RN ten Doeschate ahead of him in pacer friendly tracks as Yusuf and Iqbal is doing good as spinner.

madhuri
on May 6, 2011, 10:45 GMT

MAHELA...You are a GENIUS. Weldone KTK.. I remeber few guys commenting that KTK has got a test team.Now what...!!!

I think it's high time to changed the selection of foreign player.I think morgan is getting many chance though he not perform well,when player like SAKIB-AL-HASAN,TEN DOESCHATE be sitted in sideline though they perform well and balaji should not be rested.though brett lee will be the key factor but his bowling is also not up tp mark.i think the team will be.
1.kallis
2.Gautam
3.tiwary
4.yusuf
5.Ryan/lee
6.Sakib
7.Boucher
8.bhatia
9.iqbal
10.balaji
11.unadkat

Bimal
on May 6, 2011, 6:01 GMT

When a team fail to perform ,the captain faces all the fires . Here Goutam Gambhir ,once again proved that he needs time to settle down to work as a captain of a team. It was a great mistake by the owner to appoint him as a captain. He may be a superb batsman on his day , but leadership quality in Goutam is still in the club levels . Lots of decisions are proving to be wrong from the very first match against Chennai, which was a sure win situation .

Dummy4
on May 6, 2011, 5:04 GMT

@reghuh: Thats correct.. if he get the bowl at right place in first over he will get it for next 4 overs.. so its better Sreesanth to play 4 over together.. and RP Singh is needed as a new ball bowler we dont have any.. if u dont get 100% rite with new ball you will be all over the place..

shameem
on May 6, 2011, 1:26 GMT

Shakib will be back from Bangladesh tonight (His mum is now fine). But question is "will he be selected in the starting XI, once he'll be back?" Lot of KKR fans don't think he'll get a "FAIR" opportunity. He's like SC Ganguly of KKR! He went to Bangladesh for his ailing mother after being "DROPED SUDDENLY" while performing very well with the ball.
However, LR Shukla should be in for Ladda -- and surely Tendo replacing Boucher ASAP.

Dummy4
on May 5, 2011, 21:29 GMT

Well done Kochi, Brillient team work and outstanding Captaincy of Mahela Jayawardena. KTK has only few star players like Mcullam & Mahela. But still they managed to beat tournament favourites. The credit should goes to Mahela, the way he handled bowlers and field placements. It is very easy to play with a tactical leader like Mahela. Also we should admire that the support giving by young players.Would like to see few more wins....!!!!

Dummy4
on May 5, 2011, 20:42 GMT

Mahela is clearly showing wthe best captain tactically.
weldone kochi

bharath74
on May 5, 2011, 20:28 GMT

Ralph Gomez is the real man of the match.

seb
on May 5, 2011, 19:04 GMT

Fantastic team work by Kochi and well balanced by this performance under Mahela's great captancy. Gomez is a better T20 player, amazing contrinution to get back KTK into the game.I think we should expect some great performance from his bat as well..never got a chance to settle in, just doing what he was told to do at the end overs. Prashant is really a great find for KTK..sometime I wonder whether senior bolwers had enough games and nothing to prove..KTK never leave Prashant Prameswaran and Gomez in coming matches. Good to see Sreeshant is back to basic in recent matches to stop run flow. Vinay is hard working and relaiable as usual. Extreamly happy for Hodge's form - now can relay on McCullum, Hodge, Jadeja and Mahela for big hits - T20 is batman's game.. See How wonderfully Sehwag batted today and other day in Kochi..KTK batsmen should believe in and start hitting from 5th over with a stable batsman on other side rotating the strike rather leaving it all on bowlers.

Dummy4
on May 5, 2011, 19:02 GMT

kochi tuskers with malayalee fireband proved it hot for all takers yet again - way to go kochi especially raiphy, sree and prasanth. Add that one prashant extra n mallus would surely make the diiference in next four outings

Sudarshani
on May 5, 2011, 18:49 GMT

As many have pointed out, the team selection defies logic. Ryan Tendo is a far better player than Boucher. Morgan is not in the best of form. Why is he not given opportunities. He hit two centuries in the World Cup, and can bowl as well. In one of the matches, he cam in the final few overs and hit 20 odd runs in 10-12 balls.

Prince
on May 5, 2011, 18:37 GMT

Its enthralling to see Gomez over-performing his temperamental big brother (from Kerala) Sreesanth.

Praveen
on May 5, 2011, 18:29 GMT

Mahela is clearly showing why many people in SL believe he is the best captain tactically. You give him an ordinary team and he'll get the best out of them

Dummy4
on May 5, 2011, 18:28 GMT

a lot of wrong decision again.... ladda sucks....spoil full match....kallis is the
worst....

Dummy4
on May 5, 2011, 17:31 GMT

It's a joke!!! Ladda!!!!...And Unadkot played the last match without bowling a single one!!!! Is this captaincy? Why ladda in place of Shukla? He played 2 more matches...did he prove that he is even half as good as Lakshmi? Since Pathan is bowling 3-4 overs everyday and Kalis can do that very well too so why not an extra batsman? What's bad in Goswami? If Shakib is absent why not RTD? What even Morgan is doing...he has to play one match since he was a burden of the team for last 10 matches!!!...I think the team should be- Kalis, Morgan/Goswami/Boucher, Gambhir, Manoj, Yousuf, Lakshmi, RTD/Shakib, Bhatia, Abdulla, Balaji, Lee. f Boucher comes, then he should replace Morgan and if Goswami is playing then he should replace Lakshmi.....I don't see a good captaincy here although I am a FAN of Gambhir (as a batsman who is dependable in any format!!!!)

Dummy4
on May 5, 2011, 16:42 GMT

Kochi has proved everyone wrong again!!!!!!!!! They are performing as a unit

Dummy4
on May 5, 2011, 16:33 GMT

KKR should pick Sakib Al Hasan. He is an awesome player to watch.

V.L
on May 5, 2011, 15:39 GMT

What a bowling perfomance by Gomez. I though he was gonna be the one they are gonna belt just like AB belted him for 3 sixes, but boy was I wrong!
@Islam
Shakib is home to tend to his ailing mother.

Rahat
on May 5, 2011, 15:32 GMT

This is a time they definitely need to put Shakib Al Hasan in the starting XI, does anyone else agree?!

Reghu
on May 5, 2011, 15:29 GMT

Kochi tuskers kerala finally prove their mettle.This was the firstvictory at home batting first i suppose.
Eventhough RP Singh tried hard to sink the balance, Prasanth Parameswaran,Vinay kumar and Raiphi brought back the match in ktk favour.
RP Singh is looking such a waste of spot........instead, KTK could have played someone like the other Prasanth(Batsman) or romesh powar.
Also i think going in with ravindra jadeja for the first over would be a great option.....in future games....also sreesanth shoudl finish his 4 overs in the first spell continuously and should not bowl at death where he has absolutely no clue.

Dummy4
on May 5, 2011, 15:27 GMT

Comprng team strength kochi is 1/4 of kolkata. But dey showed us whatz is team spirt is al abt...

Guru
on May 5, 2011, 15:22 GMT

What a Fantastic performance from kochi team....hodge's last over burst, mahela's captains knock, Once again R Vinaykumars's Magnificent bowling, gomaze's surprise...overall team effort and never give up attitude privail in the end...kudo's to kochi team...they deserve to win.....go kochi go...

Dummy4
on May 5, 2011, 15:20 GMT

It is impossible to ignore a player like SHAKIB AL HASAN, rated as one of the top allrounders by ICC. He got 7 wickets from 3 matches, nd was the 3rd highest wicket taker at IPL before being dropped suddenly. Even he can bat quite a bit and add more stability at the KKR middle order.

Cricket Fan
on May 5, 2011, 15:06 GMT

Kochi Team is not a team like Mumbai, Kolkota, Chennai and Bangalore. Comparing to other team they have only few stars like Jayawardhana and Mcullam.

Now they are very well balanced. I think thier young bowlers will help to make victory over any team

Dummy4
on May 5, 2011, 15:05 GMT

Shakib is back in Bangladesh for personal reasons. Even the local players let KKR down their oversease additions were exceptional like Morgan,Kallis. Tuskers looks to be finding the right combination. I think if the pitch is spinner friendly they can bring Murali in the expense of a pacer and open with Laxman in place of Klinger. The real problem for Tuskers will be Mahelas departure on 18th. This team revolves around him and his captaincy skills.

Dummy4
on May 5, 2011, 14:55 GMT

This is same question from my side...where is BD captain..nice bowler

Aaron
on May 5, 2011, 14:50 GMT

someone tell me why shakib al hasan is not being picked??? and also ryan ten doeschate??? but more so shakib, best odi player in the world!

M
on May 5, 2011, 14:19 GMT

@Giyasul Islam - Shakib went back to be with his ailing mother as per the commentary in the previous Kolkata match

Dummy4
on May 5, 2011, 14:15 GMT

Well done Kochi. What a surprise?

Neil
on May 5, 2011, 12:02 GMT

they cud've played LR Shukla instead of Ladda..

Dummy4
on May 5, 2011, 11:15 GMT

kolkatta is having a great chance of going all the way through in this IPL because they are well balanced but their captain needs to be calm and composed in tough situations.

Dummy4
on May 5, 2011, 10:48 GMT

Where is Shakib Al Hasan. Why is he not getting chance.

No featured comments at the moment.

Dummy4
on May 5, 2011, 10:48 GMT

Where is Shakib Al Hasan. Why is he not getting chance.

Dummy4
on May 5, 2011, 11:15 GMT

kolkatta is having a great chance of going all the way through in this IPL because they are well balanced but their captain needs to be calm and composed in tough situations.

Neil
on May 5, 2011, 12:02 GMT

they cud've played LR Shukla instead of Ladda..

Dummy4
on May 5, 2011, 14:15 GMT

Well done Kochi. What a surprise?

M
on May 5, 2011, 14:19 GMT

@Giyasul Islam - Shakib went back to be with his ailing mother as per the commentary in the previous Kolkata match

Aaron
on May 5, 2011, 14:50 GMT

someone tell me why shakib al hasan is not being picked??? and also ryan ten doeschate??? but more so shakib, best odi player in the world!

Dummy4
on May 5, 2011, 14:55 GMT

This is same question from my side...where is BD captain..nice bowler

Dummy4
on May 5, 2011, 15:05 GMT

Shakib is back in Bangladesh for personal reasons. Even the local players let KKR down their oversease additions were exceptional like Morgan,Kallis. Tuskers looks to be finding the right combination. I think if the pitch is spinner friendly they can bring Murali in the expense of a pacer and open with Laxman in place of Klinger. The real problem for Tuskers will be Mahelas departure on 18th. This team revolves around him and his captaincy skills.

Cricket Fan
on May 5, 2011, 15:06 GMT

Kochi Team is not a team like Mumbai, Kolkota, Chennai and Bangalore. Comparing to other team they have only few stars like Jayawardhana and Mcullam.

Now they are very well balanced. I think thier young bowlers will help to make victory over any team

Dummy4
on May 5, 2011, 15:20 GMT

It is impossible to ignore a player like SHAKIB AL HASAN, rated as one of the top allrounders by ICC. He got 7 wickets from 3 matches, nd was the 3rd highest wicket taker at IPL before being dropped suddenly. Even he can bat quite a bit and add more stability at the KKR middle order.

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